Last week we got quite a drenching, and it was exhilarating. Early in the week the wind blew down pine needles and strawberry fruit, midweek featured 5+ inches falling on one day, and the day after that the landscaper “Dan” worked in the rain all day and installed many plants in my front yard. He was sopping at the end, and only quit when he did because he still had to drive an hour to get home before dark; his eyesight is not good and he’s having cataract surgeries starting this week — hence the need to accomplish as much as he could beforehand. The things not planted are waiting in the utility yard. Look at those ferns! I’ve never had ferns in my garden before.
I worked outside myself, consulting with Dan and looking on as he tested how plantable the soil was after all that wetting. We were both amazed to find bone dry soil under some of the areas that had been thickly covered in mulch. Other places near the borders of the space, with less mulch, standing water filled the holes several inches down, in clay, and he didn’t plant there. While Dan soldiered away completely exposed (in his thin rain suit), I spent most of my time in the garage with the big doors wide open, organizing, cleaning and sorting, and when I took things to the trash bins or did a little trimming of dead flowers, I didn’t get very wet. I was wearing waterproof boots and a rain jacket.
The temperature was mild, so we were able to enjoy our work and the invigorating weather without being cold. That air was a strong tonic. I was happy to get started on the small area of relandscaping, and to have someone to talk to about all the plants and how to arrange them; he said he always loves planting; we were both joyful because we are always greedy for rain in California. Oh, and it was definitely a relief to see the garage quite a bit tidier.
From time to time when I went into the house I would put another log in the stove, so that when darkness fell and I closed all the doors and window shades, oh how cozy I was.
Gladsome Lights 
I empathise with your enjoyment of the rain – and it is good to imagine you returning to the cosy indoors afterwards.
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All the yet-to-be-planted ferns and other plants look healthy and hopefully will thrive. I’m sure that rain was very appreciated. Nice to have help to get your plants in the ground ( and advice from someone who it seems is quite a knowledgeable gardener).
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It sounds cozy and so lovely, Gretchen!
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Oh, I felt your cozy close of day!
How lovely to have someone helping plant things as well as checking locations and drainage. From the looks of the plants-still-to-plant, there’s a lot still to go. I’ve got clay everywhere here, so it’s a matter of choosing tolerant plants and whether soil amendment will be enough.
That rain sounds wonderful! I heard that we have a special affinity for the smell of rain 🙂
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Yes! I love that smell, for sure — I’ve been trying to work the word petrichor into a blog post for a few years, but the rain doesn’t come at the right time, or something 😉
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I remember you mentioning the strawberry tree before, but this time I was curious enough to check out the edibility of the fruit. It is edible, and there are wonderful sites filled with history and recipes. Have you ever made jam from them, or otherwise used the fruit?
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I love the fruit, which I’ve found to be tastiest when fresh, and before it is dead ripe. I put it in a quick bread once, where it disappeared, and another year I dehydrated the little “strawberries” to nibble on in winter.
I don’t eat jam, but you’ve put the idea in my head to make a compote next time I get an abundant crop, which I could freeze for later.
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